Physical Description:
Dark and brooding, or bright and cheery, Merrick Braston can be both. His grey eyes dance with life, even in the midst of his brooding. Merrick is a very attractive man. His performance schedule keeps him in shape, but he spends at least four hours a week working out.

Professional History:
Merrick began singing at an early age, joining several bands during his youth. Shortly before his eighteenth year, he and his bandmates hit it big with one of the recording studios on Coruscant. They soon found themselves touring the Empire, performing to sold out crowds. Life got very large for the four young men, but it wasn't even close to as large as it would get for Merrick. The band split after two years, each band member going off in different directions. Merrick started his solo career, and his first album met with huge success. His second was even bigger. When he turned twenty-two, he was drafted into the Imperial Navy. He didn't like it, and soon (after two years) found an out clause, and utilized it.

Once free of his service commitment, Merrick restarted his music career and once again found himself thrust into the limelight. His touch seemed golden, and every piece of music met with critical acclaim.

Background
Merrick Braston was born the youngest of four children to Trask and Leesa Braston. He was drawn to music while very young, and had learned to both sing and play the thrispin, a guitar-like instrument found on Coruscant. As each year passed, Merrick added another instrument to his arsenal and found his talent had grown.

He was good, and everyone around him knew it. His father, a captain in the Imperial military, disapproved. Though, there was little he could do to the boy since he was absent from the family so often. His mother encouraged his artistic endeavours, and his siblings were too busy with their own interests to take much notice.

When he turned fourteen, Merrick joined his first band. They entered contests and won. Soon, they were drawing attention from around the city. It all fell apart one night when two of the band members got into a fight over which set they would be playing. Merrick ended up going out solo that night after his friends stormed off in angry huffs. His performance was flawless, and he soon found himself in another band.

It was four years after that first band that Merrick and his new band hit the big time. They signed with the biggest label on Coruscant, and quickly found themselves living the good life. The money was good, the partying was great, and the life was one they'd never expected. The new band lasted for two years before creative differences tore it apart at the seems.

Merrick swore off bands after that and decided he'd go it on his own. He went back into the studio and created a jewel. Sales took off, and didn't stop. The second album was better. Merrick Braston was nearly a household name.

And, then the Imperial Navy came calling. He was drafted and made to serve in the Imperial Navy. He did not like his time there. There were many things he saw that he didn't want to see. He saw firsthand the atrocities being committed by the Empire. Those moments would prove to be the fuel for a third and fourth album. But, after two years in the service of Emperor Palpatine's dread navy, Merrick found a hidden clause that allowed him to escape his duty. And, he did escape.

Times were harder after he got out of the navy. His music was targeted by the Imperial Machine, and he thought it was going to sink his career. The reverse happened. It catapulted him even higher. Though, the notoriety had a downside. The songs he was making spoke out against Palpatine and the actions of the Empire, and it was decided to censor Merrick. A warrant was put out for his arrest, and he found Imperial representatives everywhere he went. He had the best personal bodyguards money could buy, and they helped keep the Imperials at bay.

The Empire wasn't slowing down it's efforts to silence Merrick. The stress was starting to get to him, but he continued touring. One night, a courier arrived with news: his grandfather had died. His grandfather had been a very wealthy man, and his political leanings did not coincide with any of the rest of Merrick's family, so Merrick alone was named in the old man's will. His wealth was already considerable, but the inheritance was astounding. It also came with properties and business holdings. Merrick didn't know what to do with it all, so he found some people he could trust to run things for him.

With the Imperial situation heating up, Merrick decided to take some time out of the public eye. He looked through his new properties and found one that would allow him some privacy. Tae'Karada, the Empire had no influence there, and he knew he'd be safe.

Personality:
Merrick is an artist, but he's now wearing the hat of businessman and it makes him uncomfortable. He keeps a positive outlook on life, and likes to help people when he can. He likes taking risks, which drives his managers crazy. He enjoys spending time with his fans, which also drives his managers crazy. He's a good-natured person, but he does run a gamut of moods.

Form of Dress:
Merrick dresses in a variety of styles, though prefers a stylishly sloppy look. He usually wears a pair of pants, boots, and shirt with a long jacket.

Superhuman Powers and Abilities
None

Abilities and Skills:
Exceptional singer and musician. Learning to handle a business. When Kaysa first met him, he nearly got himself killed in a bar fight. However, he's gotten a few pointers from a band-mate, and is now a fairly accomplished fighter.